5 traits of a confident Christian

The Christian faith is inherently confident in its messaging. The New Testament is only about 300 pages, and it doesn’t read like a manual for apologetics. That is, the New Testament builds on the reality of God’s revelations in Old Testament history and confidently communicates His grace in the Lord Jesus. This was unpacked notably by Paul: “According to the eternal purpose … in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him” (Eph. 3:12). Thus genuine believers who partake of His grace have always possessed traits that reflect a measure of confidence. However, it is not the human component that is confident, but God’s grace within that, which is unassailable and strengthens a Christian’s faith and practice.

Some Christians speak, live and move in full assurance of faith. What distinguishes such a belief? Is it available to all believers? Indeed, confident Christian faith should be the aspiration of all believers. Here are 5 traits that I believe can encourage confidence in those who are “justified by his grace” (Tit. 3:7), though there are certainly more.

1. Knowingness

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Theology 101 teaches about natural revelation and special revelation. The former is evident for all, but the latter is not. By definition, then, special revelation exists apart from what the natural person observes and experiences. When Paul wrote, “I know whom I have believed” (2 Tim. 1:12), it was from his new standing with God. An experience had occurred from natural to spiritual by God’s grace. To this day, a genuine regeneration from non-Christian to Christian is marked by an unmistakable sense of knowingness. Moreover, this reality of grace provides believers with the confidence to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philip. 3:14). A believer cannot aspire to something unless it’s known to be real. Knowingness comes from God, and His desire for us is to be assured of it.

The reason why Paul could “press on” confidently is that he had personal assurance that grace was working within.  As he emphasized, “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philip. 1:6).

2. Boldness

A confident Christian is not bashful in faith. Some believers may have a reserved or private personality, and yet have boldness in their Christian faith. Somehow, we have stereotyped a bold Christian as one who is “on fire for the Lord” and endeavoring to turn the world right-side up. In the New Testament understanding, boldness is the expression of an apparent deep conviction of grace. Note the example of two humble fishermen who proclaimed: “And there is salvation in no one else … Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished” (Acts 4:12). “They were astonished” at the “boldness of Peter and John,” because their convictions of Jesus were palpable. Regardless of the level of education or socio-economic status, confident Christians will not shy away from communicating their faith with boldness and apparent conviction.

3. Maturing

Nevertheless, there is a sanctifying process by which believers grow in confidence, some slower and some faster. If you have been a Christian for under five years, don’t you see yourself more mature in Christian faith today than two, three, or four years ago? Likewise if you have been partaking of His grace for decades, don’t you see yourself now more mature than 10 or 20 years ago? As we progress in life, Christian faith is also about overcoming battles with doubts, temptations, and cultural intimidation. Again, the Bible does not read like an apologetic manual, but it provides us with the confidence that we can trust Him. Thus maturing believers are developing a growing confidence that they “are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls” (Heb. 10:39). Maturing Christian faith is a process whereby confidence in grace becomes increasingly apparent to others.

4. Humbleness

I am truly sad to say that there is no shortage of egoism in Evangelicalism. The depths of understanding of the Christian faith elude the egotistical, because of overwhelming confidence in themselves. “Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6). Humble Christians are far more confident because they have an overwhelming sense of gratefulness for God’s mercy and grace. Isn’t it encouraging to be around Christians who are “gaining Christ” (Philip. 3:8) while being genuinely humble? It’s truly refreshing. Conversely, don’t you feel spiritually drained when you converse with egotistical believers who thrive on pontificating? Humbleness makes believers grow stronger because they are teachable.

5. Teachable

Being unteachable is a sign of insecurity. Those who exercise confident Christian faith enjoy learning. The biblical injunction to “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18) is very real in their maturing process. Confident Christians are secure and have realized that they don’t have a monopoly on truth in Christian teaching, nor does anyone else. They are confidently relying upon God and humble enough to acknowledge that others are also gifted for the church’s benefit. In fellowship, or over coffee, confident Christians will listen more and talk less. They enjoy gleaning thoughts that enrich their faith and lives.

Finally, when you come across a confident Christian with these traits, you should try to befriend them. Confident Christians are maturing and thus also increasing in social graces. They are guided by the Spirit and desire to be “Christ-like,” and to grow in love towards neighbors. They are also serious about becoming “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:13-14).

So, whether you are a believer or not, don’t be of the ilk that avoids confident Christians for fear of being challenged out of your comfort zone and deeper into His grace.